Former Prosecutor General Otar Romanov-Partskhaladze, who is accused of organizing the contract killing of businessman Levan Jangveladze for financial gain, does not plead guilty. His lawyer, Gagi Mosiashvili, made the statement during a court hearing.
According to the lawyer, the charges are absurd and are not based on the actual circumstances of the case.“The charges brought by the prosecution are an illusion of the prosecutor and are not based on the evidence in the case. The 36 volumes of case materials demonstrate the absurdity of the charges. The charges are unsubstantiated and absurd,” Mosiashvili said.The court hearing is being held in Romanov-Partskhaladze's absence, as he is officially wanted. Prosecutor Levan Vepkhvadze said that the exact whereabouts of the former Prosecutor General are unknown. Lawyer Gagi Mosiashvili disagreed, saying that Pirtskhalava “is not wanted, but is in the country of which he is a citizen [Russia].
”The defense lawyers do not rule out requesting that Partskhaladze participate in the proceedings remotely during the stage of examining the evidence.It was revealed during the hearing that investigative activities in the case were also carried out in Russia. Partskhaladze's lawyer traveled to Moscow, where he questioned Irakli Usoiani, the grandson of the so-called crime boss “Ded Khasan” and the person whom investigators identify as the alleged mastermind behind Jangveladze’s killing.
The defense is requesting that the record of this questioning be added to the case. According to the lawyers, Usoiani states in the record that his family “renounces revenge.” The defense is also requesting that information obtained directly from Russian investigators be added to the case.
The prosecution is asking the court to declare the evidence submitted by the defense inadmissible. Prosecutor Levan Vepkhvadze said that witness statements and computer data provided by the defense were obtained in substantial violation of the law:
“The defense provided the prosecution with a number of pieces of evidence, specifically witness statements as well as computer data, which, in the prosecution’s assessment, were obtained in substantial violation of the law. I would also add that this evidence does not prove anything, but given that all of this evidence was obtained in violation of the law, the prosecution is requesting that a number of pieces of evidence be declared inadmissible,” Vepkhvadze said.
According to the prosecutor, the case contains reliable evidence obtained lawfully, including Partskhaladze's bank accounts and detailed information from his mobile phone, which, taken together, provide sufficient grounds for a guilty verdict.
What is known about the case Businessman Levan Jangveladze, the brother of a so-called “thief in law,” was shot dead on Chavchavadze Avenue in Tbilisi.Police initially arrested Gela Udilauri, who has already been sentenced to life imprisonment for the contract killing of Jangveladze for financial gain, as well as the attempted murder of Gia Chaduneli.
Later, other individuals were charged in connection with the case:Otar Romanov-Partskhaladze was charged under Article 25/109, subsection “n” of the Criminal Code (organizing a premeditated murder for hire and financial gain), which carries a sentence of 16 to 20 years in prison or life imprisonment. He is a Russian citizen and has been placed on an international wanted list.
Brothers Giorgi and Davit Mikadze (who are considered members of Partskhaladze's circle) and Giorgi Jokhadze have been charged with organizing a contract killing for financial gain. All three have been sentenced to life imprisonment (Davit Mikadze and Giorgi Jokhadze in absentia). Jokhadze was also charged with the illegal group acquisition, possession, and sale of firearms.
Giorgi Kachkachishvili was charged with the illegal group acquisition and possession of firearms.
Mamuka Baghdavadze has been charged with concealing a particularly serious crime and providing false information with the aim of obstructing justice.
Authorities are carrying out procedures to place Davit Mikadze and Giorgi Jokhadze, who were charged in absentia, on an international wanted list.
